PeerApp, Limelight Networks and EdgeCast Networks jointly formed the open Content Service Extension initiative last year to enable an open-standards environment through which broadband operators can work collaboratively with Internet content providers and web applications to deliver services in a manner that efficiently utilizes network infrastructure and maximizes subscriber Quality of Experience (QoE). The CSE architecture allows CDNs and content service providers to extend their business logic and delivery footprint deeply into operator networks, through invocation of network functions and capabilities deployed and controlled by the operator. It also establishes a mechanism through which operators can be fairly compensated for the role their infrastructure and network capabilities play in service delivery. In addition to participating in this demonstration, Sandvine will also be formally joining the Content Service Extension initiative.

“Sandvine and PeerApp have jointly driven operator caching to improve subscribers’ quality of experience at more than 40 communications service providers globally,” said Don Bowman, CTO, Sandvine. “The power of network functions virtualization allows us to enable innovative content delivery use cases while leveraging industry standards, including PCMM. We are proud to join the Content Services Extension initiative and to contribute technology leadership to an open service delivery environment.”

The demonstration features managed delivery of 4K video content from Limelight’s global CDN footprint into the home, triggering operator caching and network Quality of Service (QoS) extension services in a trusted and controlled fashion. The operator-side implementation of the CSE service architecture includes PeerApp’s UltraBand cache and CSE controller platforms as well as Sandvine’s Service Delivery Engine (SDE).

This offers a first time reference implementation of an end-to-end content delivery architecture utilizing a global CDN footprint in combination with operator caching and guaranteed QoS, using the Packet Cable Multimedia (PCMM) standard, defined and promoted by the PacketCable industry consortium, founded by CableLabs.

“With emerging standards like 4K video, operators experience consumers demanding ever greater amounts of high quality content,” said Peter Coppola, Vice President of Product and Solutions Marketing at Limelight Networks. “This demonstration of CSE shows that the technology is here today to enable CDNs and network operators to cooperate in the delivery of premium and other high value content.”

“With this demonstration, we’ve shown that the possibility for establishing a very different content delivery model exists – one that does not rely on paid peering agreements like those that we have seen recently,” said David Sokolic, Vice President of Business Development and Marketing at PeerApp. “In order for OTT video services to scale to the level of traditional cable and satellite video distribution methods, while at the same time providing the quality and reliability that consumers expect, the content needs to reside at the edge of the operator’s network. Unlike paid peering agreements, CSE enables the content to be delivered from within the operator’s local access network. This gives the operator greater visibility and control over the traffic and also enables an end-to-end guarantee of quality.”

About CSE and Transparent Caching Content Service Extension provides a way to virtually extend CDNs and Internet content services deep into operator networks, using a common, multi-tenant infrastructure. It allows network operators, CDNs and OTT service providers to enter into business arrangements that benefit all participants, while leveraging the existing terabit-scale global operator cache deployment footprint. Through an open network API, operators can offer CDNs access to cache control, QoS, resource management, reporting and other value-added capabilities. The Content Service Extension architecture offers operators a scalable and open alternative to “black box” private caches that are dedicated to and controlled by a single OTT service provider.

Operator caching plays an important role at the edge of service provider networks by intelligently caching and bringing the most frequently requested Internet content closer to the subscriber. PeerApp UltraBand is the only caching solution that supports video, HTTP file downloads, software updates and peer-to-peer traffic in a single platform. It is the most scalable platform in the industry, and it is fully transparent to preserve application logic and ensure freshness of content.

About PeerApp Ltd.

PeerApp enables mobile, cable and telecom operators to embrace the exploding demand for Internet video, software, games, and information. PeerApp’s award-winning open and multiservice caching infrastructure enables operators to deliver Internet content with a high quality of experience by bringing the most frequently requested content closer to the subscriber. As the market leader in transparent caching solutions, PeerApp has its platforms commercially deployed by hundreds of operators worldwide on terabit scale. PeerApp is headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts, USA. For more information, visitwww.peerapp.com and follow @peerapp on Twitter.